Always Prepared - The Ethiopian Eunuch

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

Acts 8:34-35

Eight Boy Scouts who lost their way in September 2007 while camping in a heavily wooded area of the North Carolina mountains turned up safe and sound, but one day late. The boys and their three leaders had lost the trail leading out of the woods and decided to set up camp and wait for daylight rather than try to make their way out in the dark.

An assistant Scoutmaster, whose son had accompanied the group, later told news reporters, “Everybody’s in good shape, a little tired. . . . As the Scout motto says, they were prepared.”

“Be prepared” is also good advice when you meet someone who wants to know what your life of faith is about.

Philip, a believer whose story is found in the book of Acts, was a good example of that kind of preparation. Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch of some standing with Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. He had some very direct questions concerning the writings of the prophet Isaiah, and Philip was ready with the answers.

He explained to the Ethiopian that Isaiah, like many other Old Testament prophets, had written about Jesus Christ, who had recently lived, died, and been raised by God so that all who believed in him could be saved.

The man from Ethiopia, like so many people in our world, wanted answers regarding God and his own destiny. Philip modeled the kind of preparation advocated by the apostle Peter: “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15).

Are you prepared?

If you’re living the Christian life, it’s only a matter of time before someone asks you questions about your faith. Be ready to give clear and concise answers that demonstrate genuine care and concern for that person’s eternal destiny.